Hertfordshire's Chief Fire Officer is urging parents across the county to speak to their children about the dangers of open water as temperatures rise and more young people head outdoors.

The warning comes during Drowning Prevention Week and follows a series of tragic incidents across the UK, with fire services highlighting the potentially fatal risks posed by rivers, lakes, reservoirs, quarries and canals. (NFCC⁠)

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding families that while open water may look inviting during warm weather, it can hide serious dangers including cold water shock, strong currents, underwater hazards and sudden drops in depth. Even experienced swimmers can quickly get into difficulty.

Recent research shared by the National Fire Chiefs Council shows that when temperatures reach 25°C or above, the risk of accidental drowning increases five-fold compared with cooler days. (NFCC⁠)

Chief Fire Officer Alex Woodman said parents and carers should make sure children understand the risks before they head out with friends over the summer.

He said: "Please take time to talk to your children about the dangers of open water. It may look calm and inviting, but it can be incredibly dangerous. A simple conversation could save a life."

The service says more than half of parents surveyed admitted they would not feel confident their child would know what to do if they unexpectedly fell into open water. (Facebook⁠)

Water safety advice

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Firefighters are encouraging families to:

• Talk to children and teenagers about the dangers of open water.
• Only swim at supervised locations with lifeguards.
• Never jump into open water to cool down.
• Avoid swimming after drinking alcohol.
• If someone gets into difficulty, call 999 immediately rather than entering the water yourself.

If someone is struggling in the water, remember Phone, Float, Throw:

• Phone 999.
• Encourage the casualty to Float on their back.
• Throw something that floats to help them stay above the water until emergency services arrive. (NFCC⁠)

The fire service is also promoting the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's "Float to Live" advice, which encourages anyone who unexpectedly enters cold water to lean back, float on their back, control their breathing and only swim to safety once the initial effects of cold water shock have passed. (NFCC⁠)

With schools preparing to break up for the summer in the coming weeks, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service hopes parents will have these conversations now to help keep children safe during the holidays.